Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient evidence in the record, including missing STRs and personnel records. The Veteran needs to undergo a VA examination to determine if his current hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been reopened, and the Board has determined that service connection is granted for tinnitus but denied for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are causally related to his active service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and physical conditions, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and PTSD. The RO must now evaluate these claims on their merits.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to decide whether he is entitled to benefits for his claimed disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to outstanding treatment records and missed VA examinations.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service connected, with the Board finding that there is at least equipoise evidence in favor of a nexus to service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, specifically whether it is related to noise exposure during service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are related to his military service.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Veteran's PTSD was granted a 50% disability rating, but the Board found that more evidence is needed to determine if he should receive a higher rating. Service connection for OSA and knee conditions were remanded due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the issues of entitlement to a compensable rating prior to February 10, 2015 for right ear hearing loss with mastoidectomy and in excess of 10 percent, thereafter, for bilateral hearing loss with right ear mastoidectomy.

The Board has denied service connection for several conditions, including right foot disability, CVS, bilateral hearing loss, vertigo, and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome. The issues of lumbar disability and insomnia are remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that throughout the appeal period he had at worst Level II hearing loss in both ears, which does not warrant a compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss disability is remanded due to the need for a new VA audiological examination.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for hearing loss service connection was denied as there is no evidence of a prior claim or intent to file one before May 23, 2017.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for unspecified anxiety disorder was denied as the evidence did not show occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss was denied because his hearing loss disability did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be related to his active duty service and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss.